Best CFA Prep Courses in 2025: Complete Guide to Passing CFA Level 1, 2 & 3 (and Saving Money)

 

If you’re preparing for the CFA exam in 2025, choosing the right prep course is easily one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The CFA exam is challenging, dense, and unforgiving, therefore the quality of your study materials makes a massive difference.

But here’s the problem most candidates face:
CFA prep courses are expensive. Some packages cost $999–$1,799 or more.

The good news? Today, there are multiple high-quality CFA prep providers — and you don’t need to spend a fortune to get them.

This guide walks you through the best CFA prep courses in 2025, compares pricing, and shows you where to find discounted courses so you can study smarter and cheaper.

---

⭐ Top CFA Prep Courses in 2025 (Quick List)

These are the most trusted and widely used CFA exam prep providers:

1. Kaplan Schweser – Industry standard, strongest study notes

2. Wiley / UWorld Finance – Massive question bank, hardest practice

3. AnalystPrep – Affordable and strong for Level 1

4. Bloomberg Exam Prep – Adaptive AI learning

5. Mark Meldrum – Best value for a full curriculum (video-heavy)

6. UpperMark (for CAIA) – Niche but excellent for alternatives

7. Wall Street Prep / CFI – Good add-ons for financial modeling

---

🏆 1. Kaplan Schweser — Best Overall CFA Prep Course

Why candidates love it:
Schweser is considered the “gold standard” for CFA prep. Their notes, QBank, mocks, and instructors are polished, clear, and specifically tailored for passing.

Best for:

• Students who want structured, exam-focused content

• Those who prefer streamlined notes over reading the full CFA curriculum

Strengths:

• Legendary Schweser Notes

• Large question bank

• Weekly live classes

• Well-structured study plans

• Great mocks and diagnostics

Weaknesses:

• Expensive

• Some candidates feel it oversimplifies certain topics

Price Range: $799–$1,599
Discounts Available: Yes (Up to 50% through select resellers)

---

🧠 2. Wiley / UWorld Finance — Best for Practice Questions

Wiley (now absorbed by UWorld) is known for having some of the toughest CFA questions on the market — and that’s a good thing. Their QBank is designed to push you.

Best for:
Students who want LOTS of practice problems.

Strengths:

• Hardest question bank (excellent for exam readiness)

• Bite-sized video lessons

• Detailed rationales for every answer

• Unlimited course access (in some plans)

Weaknesses:

• Website interface is older

• Some candidates feel videos can be slow-paced

Price Range: $699–$1,499
Discounts Available: Up to 50% off

---

💰 3. AnalystPrep — Best Budget-Friendly CFA Prep

AnalystPrep is a solid low-cost alternative that still provides great materials, especially for Level 1.

Best for:
Students who want quality on a tight budget.

Strengths:

• Very affordable

• Clean platform

• Great QBank

• Easy-to-understand videos

Weaknesses:

• Not as detailed as Schweser or Meldrum

• Best for Level 1; less depth for Level 2 & 3

Price Range: $99–$399
Discounts Available: Yes

---

🎥 4. Mark Meldrum — Best for Video-Based Learning

Dr. Mark Meldrum delivers full-length lectures covering the entire CFA curriculum — an incredible value given the price.

Best for:
Students who learn through video first, reading second.

Strengths:

• Full curriculum coverage

• Detailed whiteboard-style lectures

• Best lecture depth vs. price

Weaknesses:

• Limited design/UI

• No “shortcut” notes; heavy curriculum emphasis

Price Range: $249–$349
Discounts Available: Limited

---

🤖 5. Bloomberg Exam Prep — Best AI-Powered Adaptive System

Bloomberg takes a data-driven approach, adjusting your study plan based on performance.

Best for:
Students who want AI-guided study and adaptive practice.

Strengths:

• Adaptive technology

• Personalized daily study plan

• Strong analytics

Weaknesses:

• More expensive for fewer features

• Smaller QBank compared to Schweser/Wiley

Price Range: $699–$999
Discounts Available: Yes

---

📊 CFA Prep Course Comparison Table (2025)

Provider	Best For	Notes	Price Range	Difficulty Style
Kaplan Schweser	Best overall	Gold-standard notes	$799–$1,599	Moderate
Wiley/UWorld	Best for practice	Hardest QBank	$699–$1,499	Hard
AnalystPrep	Best budget option	Strong QBank	$99–$399	Moderate
Mark Meldrum	Best lectures	Full curriculum videos	$249–$349	Hard
Bloomberg	Best adaptive learning	Personalized plan	$699–$999	Moderate

---

💵 How to Save Money on CFA Prep Courses

CFA materials can get expensive fast but the good news is that several of the top prep providers now offer discounts up to 50% off when purchased through authorized resellers.

This includes:

• CFA Level 1, 2 & 3

• Schweser, Wiley, AnalystPrep, Bloomberg

• Full video courses, QBank packages, mocks, and more

If you’re trying to prep on a budget, you can browse discounted course bundles here:

👉 Elite Prep Deals — CFA Courses at 50% Off

---

❓ FAQs: CFA Prep Course Questions

Q: What is the best CFA Level 1 prep course?
A: Kaplan Schweser is most popular, but AnalystPrep and Meldrum are great for tight budgets.

Q: How long does CFA Level 1 prep take?
A: Most candidates study 300–400 hours.

Q: Are cheap CFA courses worth it?
A: Yes — as long as the QBank is solid and you put in consistent practice.

Q: Do prep courses guarantee passing?
A: No course can guarantee it, but good materials massively boost your odds.

---

🏁 Final Recommendation

The “best” CFA prep course depends on your learning style:

• Best overall: Kaplan Schweser

• Best for heavy practice: Wiley/UWorld

• Best budget option: AnalystPrep

• Best lectures: Mark Meldrum

• Best adaptive tech: Bloomberg

If you want premium materials without paying premium prices, you can check discounted course bundles on Elite Prep Deals.